Ajeetha Begum Sulthan, a distinguished Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the 2008 batch, is celebrated as the first Muslim woman from Tamil Nadu to join the service. Currently holding the position of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Thiruvananthapuram Range in Kerala, she has built an impressive career centred on law enforcement, gender equality, and community-focused policing.
Born into a conservative Muslim family in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, Ajeetha challenged traditional norms that prioritised early marriage over higher education for women. With her father’s support, she became the first graduate in her family, earning both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Commerce and Business Management. Her career path was inspired by a female Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, motivating her to prepare for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination. She successfully cleared the exam on her first attempt, securing an All India Rank of 397, a testament to her determination and intellect. This was followed by the prestigious Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship for advanced studies in the United States.
Ajeetha’s professional journey began in Jammu and Kashmir. Following her marriage in 2011 to fellow IPS officer Satheesh Bino, she transferred to the Kerala cadre in 2012. Throughout her career, she has held several key positions, including Superintendent of Police in Wayanad and Kollam, Principal of the Police Training College, and Assistant Director at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy. In these roles, she has consistently focused on addressing issues related to women and children, road safety, and drug abuse. Notably, she has spearheaded various campaigns, such as ‘Safe Kollam,’ to enhance community security. Her recent responsibilities have included serving on the Special Investigation Team (SIT) for sexual harassment allegations in the Malayalam film industry and acting as the State Nodal Officer for Anti-Human Trafficking Units, where she has been a vocal advocate for swift justice in child trafficking cases.
Ajeetha’s accomplishments extend beyond her official duties. She is a trailblazer in promoting gender inclusivity within the police force, famously placing women officers in leadership roles at police stations in rural Kerala. This initiative helped pave the way for statewide direct entry for women into the force. Ajeetha is also a remarkable athlete, having won the women’s open category at the 2021 Airtel Hyderabad Marathon. In 2023, she and her husband became the first civil service couple—and she the first female civil servant—to complete the rigorous Ironman triathlon, a feat she accomplished despite post-childbirth challenges.
Navigating frequent transfers and societal expectations as a woman in a male-dominated field, she credits the police system’s meritocratic nature for her success. As a role model for underrepresented women, her journey highlights the power of perseverance and family support in overcoming personal and professional barriers.